Salisbury District Hospital is urging the public to “act together” to defeat Covid-19 after the virus claimed the lives of two more patients this week.

On Monday November 2, two people died at the hospital after contracting coronavirus, bringing the total number of patients who passed away since the start of the pandemic to 59.

They are a man in his 60s with no underlying health conditions and a man in his 70s with pre-existing health conditions.

The number of cases at the hospital, as of 8.15am on Wednesday, stands at four.

The severity of their condition is wide-ranging, the hospital says.

In a letter to patients and members of the public, Chief Executive Stacey Hunter backed the new restrictions coming into force tomorrow.

She said: “It is right we take action now to reduce further spread of Covid-19, which is increasing in our local community. While cases here at the hospital remain relatively low we sadly continue to report new deaths of patients who had tested positive for Covid-19.”

Ms Hunter says the hospital is “fully prepared” to deal with a potential surge of patients, having used the summer to “prepare further” but added “there is only so much we can do”.

“We are braced for a tough winter. But there is only so much we can do in the hospital. We need everyone to once again act together and help stem the rising tide of infections. By following the guidance we will be able to protect ourselves, our family, our friends and our neighbours.”

In the coming months, the hospital is committed to do “all we can to keep elective surgery and non-urgent services open”.

People asked to attend an appointment at the hospital should do so.